Effects Of Bobath And PNF Trunk Training Programs On Subacute Stroke Patients:a Comparative Study

Objective: Physical activity of stroke patients is often damaged due to the trunk performance. Physical activity is also a prerequisite for patients to complete activities of daily living and advanced behavioral activity. This study aims to compare the effects of PNF trunk training program to Bobath trunk training program for patients in the subacute phase post stroke.Methods: 24 subacute sroke patients were randomly and equally divided into the PNF group and Bobath group. In addition to 20- minute conventional therapy, both groups received trunk training exercises; 20 minutes a day, five times a week, for four weeks. Trunk performance was measured with the Trunk Impairment Scale(TIS). Balance was measured with the Berg Balance Scale. Walking abilities were measured with Time Up and Go Test(TUGT), 10-m walk test, and 6-min walk test. Activities of daily living were measured with the Barthel Index.Results: 1. Both groups showed significant differences from the TIS, BBS and all walking ability tests(TUGT, 10-m walk test, and 6-minute walk test) for pre- and post-experiment variables. 2. Activities of daily living were increased significantly in the PNF group. 3. In the between-group comparison, the PNF group was significantly differences from the Bobath group only on the trunk performance.Conclusion: 1. Both of the PNF trunk training exercises and the Bobath trunk training exercises can improve the trunk performance, balance and walking abilities for patients in the subacute phase post stroke. 2. The PNF trunk training exercises can improve the activities of daily living on stroke patients significantly. 3. The results showed that significantly better improvement can be obtained on the trunk performance by applying the PNF trunk training exercises.